That triumph was sandwiched between Clare twice lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup – with Fitzgerald playing a vital role as goalkeeper.

The Banner legend went on manage Clare to the All-Ireland in 2013 after three years in the Waterford hot seat.

And while Griffin would have liked a Wexford native to continue the work of Liam Dunne, the Rosslare man is “delighted” Fitzgerald answered the call, as the Model County face a difficult path back to the top tier.

“I think it will be good progress, I think it could be great progress,” Griffin said.

“If he gets us out of Division 1B this year... I don’t want to be stacking dice against him, it would be a remarkable achievement if he did that.

“It would match anything he has ever done up to date if we could get out of there.

“That might sound trite but it’s not – we’ve got to beat Limerick and Galway and the rest of them.

“It’s a big ask for Wexford to go to Salthill and beat Galway. Galway look like they are very close to being there or thereabouts so if he does anything good this year it will be a bonus.

“But if he keeps the squad together then that in itself will be a bonus, and can keep them together for a couple of years. It would be good for us.”

Griffin added: “I would have much preferred, no disrespect to Davy, that if a Wexford person with the same enthusiasm had stood up and taken the job... naturally you’d feel it was better.

“He’s learned something every step of the road, I imagine. He must have learned an awful lot.

“It’s been a salutary lesson, some of the stuff he’s done. He’s an inspirational kind of a guy, he’s passionate and I think he’ll do something for Wexford.

“He removes players’ excuses as well that have dropped out in the past.

“He comes in as fresh blood, and if he gets those players back into the fold, holds the line for a couple of years and makes a bit of progress then we may be in a better position when that reign is over.

“The fact he has a proven track record in what he’s done, that has to be a positive for Wexford.